With school having started in many parts of the country, parents are grappling with the uncertainty of continued online school at home for their teens this school year. In some regions, teachers are resigning. In other regions, schools have implemented various safety measures. Nothing is standardized from region to region. Disruption to learning environments seems to be the norm.
In the last few weeks, I have spoken with two families (referred by educational consultants) whose kids have struggled since the pandemic began. They are each currently in wilderness, but it is obvious that given the academic enviornment, home is not the answer. These teens are now faced with a lack of educational structure at home and they are already in need of some credit recovery.
For students in the Special Education system, their specific needs may be even more difficult to address. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the realities of life don’t always cooperate.
Discovery Academy and Connections provide that necessary structured academic enviornment that a teen may need. There is a recognition that “One size does not fit all” when it comes to academic interventions. A Blended Learning model that includes classroom instruction, small group projects, physical education and digital learning with individualized attention are the norm each day. Class sizes do not exeed twelve students.
What is Blended Learning?
- Customized instruction
- Student centered pace and challenge level
- Experiential, project based activities
- Designed to teach critical thinking, creativity, social-emotional and communication skills
- Preparation for college and career readiness
What is Therapeutic Academic Collaboration?
- Discovery Academy collaboratively addresses school anxiety and avoidance to help students regain academic self-confidence.
- Therapists and Academic Staff work together to create and follow up on academic treatment plan goals.
What is the CARE Model? This model provides holistic and healthy skill building in the areas of:
- Clinical Engagement
- Academic Mastery
- Residential Relationships
- Experiential Support
As a reminder, Discovery Academy works with students who have made good progress in other treatment settings, but they need some continued therapeutic support as they get caught up in school, explore career opportunities and even take on a part time job in the community.
Unlike some other transitional settings, Discovery Academy has clinicians on site, assigned to each student and readily available to teach and support the student when they are testing their wings of independence. Group therapy, individual therapy, recreational activities and opportunities for unsupervised access to the local community are all standard processes while attending Discovery Academy.
Discovery Connections provides a higher level of care for those students that have struggled in other treatment settings. These are not students who are physically violent, but students who may be struggling with treatment fatigue and an inability to internally integrate therapeutic insight. These students need a bit more support and often have co-morbid issues of ASD, NLD, ADHD or other developmental concerns. The goal is to help these students connect to family, friends, peers and authority figures with a focus on relationships. Career exploration, individualized internships and service opportunities are regular opportunities for connecting with the local community.
Now that Fall has arrived, our nation is faced with some uncertainty around education. If you’re looking for the right learning enviornment for a teen in your care, be sure to think of Discovery Academy and Connections. As a fully acredited High School, Discovery Academy and Connections provides academic services and enrollment year round.
Discovery Academy and Connections are SEVIS Certified and are approved to issue Forms I-20 and maintain current F-1/M-1 International Student records.
